Iloilo dengue cases up 144%; state of calamity set
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. yesterday said he will declare a state of calamity in Iloilo following the surge of dengue fever cases in the province, reaching 1,699 cases as of August 7.
Defensor convened the Task Force “Say No to Dengue” where it was discussed that the province, considering its high dengue cases, already qualifies to be declared under state of calamity, a report from the Capitol said.
According to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office, dengue cases this year increased by 144 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Total cases in the entire 2009 only reached 1,046.
IPHO data also show that Pototan has the most number of dengue cases at 160 with two deaths.
It is followed by Passi City, 156 cases with one death; Tigbauan, 137; Guimbal, 110 with one death; and Cabatuan, 76 cases with one death.
Iloilo has 12 dengue deaths from January 1 to August 7 this year.
During the Task Force’s meeting, hospital chiefs reported they are running out of beds because of the increasing admission of dengue patients.
Medical supplies like intravenous fluids and laboratory reagents are already depleted, they added.
Defensor said he will call for an emergency meeting of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council this morning to discuss the plan to declare the province under state of calamity.
The proposal is expected to be ratified by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in their regular session in the afternoon.
Defensor said that by declaring the province under a state of calamity, the provincial government can use its calamity fund to buy basic medicines and supplies for dengue patients and enhance the manpower and bed capacity of the district hospitals to accommodate more patients.*
